7/15/14, Trustees’ June Coverage - Almanac, Vol. 61, No. 01

Trustees’ June Coverage	Print Issue
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The University of Pennsylvania Trustees’ Annual Stated Meeting was held on June 20. A memorial resolution was passed for Mary Ann Greenawalt. David L. Cohen was unanimously re-elected chair of the board for another year. Andrea Mitchell was elected and David M. Silfen was re-elected as vice chairs for the coming year. The executive committee (Mr. Cohen, Lee Spelman Doty, Jay Fishman, Amy Gutmann (ex officio), Janet Haas, Andrew Heyer, Robert M. Levy, Ms. Mitchell, Egbert Perry, Julie Beren Platt, Andrew Rachleff, Mr. Silfen and Mark O. Winkelman) and the investment board were elected. Robert S. Kapito was re-elected as a term trustee; William P. Lauder was elected as a charter trustee.

Mr. Cohen turned his attention to the proposal from members of the Penn community to divest from tobacco companies; he thanked those who submitted the open letter (Almanac April 1, 2014) but then he proceeded to explain why he did not think the Trustees should divest.

President Amy Gutmann presented the proposal to reappoint Vincent E. Price as provost; he was unanimously reappointed for a second term to run through June 30, 2021.

President Gutmann also presented resolutions of appreciation for the four deans who steeped down at the end of June: Richard J. Gelles from School of Social Policy & Practice; Michael A. Fitts from Penn Law, who was designated dean emeritus; Afaf I. Meleis from School of Nursing; and Thomas S. Robertson from Wharton. Dr. Gutmann also presented resolutions to appoint their “worthy successors”: Geoffrey Garrett as dean of Wharton (Almanac March 18, 2014); John L. Jackson, Jr. as dean of the School of Social Policy & Practice (Almanac March 25, 2014); and Antonia Villarruel as dean of Nursing (Almanac March 4, 2014). Also passed were resolutions to extend the appointments of two deans: Michael X. Delli Carpini as dean of the Annenberg School for Communications through June 30, 2018 (Almanac May 27, 2014) and Marilyn Jordan Taylor as dean of the School of Design through June 30, 2016.

President Gutmann also presented a resolution of appreciation for Steven J. Bilsky, W’71, retiring director of recreation and intercollegiate athletics (Almanac January 21, 2014).

Provost Vincent Price spoke about some of Penn’s global initiatives including the Center for China and the Perry World House and William Burke-White who was recently named its director (Almanac May 27, 2014).

EVP Craig Carnaroli reported that Penn’s total net assets for FY 2014 benefitted from strong investment performance and strong operating performance at UPHS.

Gail Morrison gave the Penn Medicine report; she noted that the White Coat ceremony will be on August 18 for the Class of 2018. The school has a pipeline program for 30 local high school students.

Dean of Admissions Eric Furda described the “inclusive,” “innovative” and impactful” incoming class which includes 129 Philadelphians and 55 Quest Scholars.

The Academic Policy Committee presented the resolution to approve revisions in the Standing Faculty Clinician-Educator Track (see page 6) effective July 1. The Trustees passed the annual collection of budget-related resolutions to authorize: the spending rule for endowments, the FY 2015 operating budgets for the University and the Health System, the 2015 capital plans and refinancing.

There were numerous appointments to Penn Medicine, overseers and other boards.

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